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ASU at Climate Week NYC 2026 • September 20–27

A key part of climate pledges is having the people to do the work 

The world has committed to conserving 30 percent of the land and oceans, restoring 30 percent of degraded ecosystems and mobilizing $200 billion a year for biodiversity by 2030. With just over three years left, hitting those targets means experienced professionals need to keep pace with new tools and evolving approaches to take on conservation's hardest challenges right now.

And in the decades ahead, today's students will need the preparation and hands-on opportunities to build on that progress and take it further. ASU Conservation Futures is built for both, equipping people to do the work this moment demands and preparing those who will carry it forward. Our role at Climate Week is to bring learning into the conversation about what people need to do this work now and in the years ahead.

This page will update regularly as sessions and speakers are confirmed.

 Where to find us 

Proud partner of the Nature Hub

Nature Hub

Wednesday, September 23

KPMG headquarters,
Two Manhattan West, 375 Ninth Avenue

The Nature Hub is convened by the Nature4Climate coalition. We'll take part in a discussion on the blue economy and the skills required to build it. Nature4Climate.

Three days at the Nest

Nest Campus

Tuesday–Thursday, September 22–24

North Javits Center,
429 11th Avenue

The Nest Campus is the largest business gathering of Climate Week NYC. Our faculty join conversations on conservation technology, Indigenous-led stewardship and the most-needed conservation skills.

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Who to look for

 ASU faculty and staff in New York for Climate Week 2026 
Jack Kittinger
Alex Dehgan

Alex Dehgan

Professor of practice and CEO and co-founder of Conservation X Labs

Jennifer McGowan

Jennifer McGowan

Research professor, Center for Biodiversity Outcomes

Melissa Nelson

Melissa Nelson

Global Futures Professor in the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures and the School of Sustainability

Peter Schlosser

Peter Schlosser

University Vice president and director general, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory

Peter Seligmann

Peter Seligmann

Distinguished professor of practice, Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures, founder of Conservation International and Nia Tero and Chairman of Silvania

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Christy Slay

Senior global futures scientist. Executive director, The Sustainability Consortium

Dave White

Dave White

Associate vice president of research advancement and director, Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation

Orlando Cazarez

Orlando Cazarez

Director of Global Conservation and Sustainability Learning Initiatives, Learning Enterprise

Lexine Hansen

Lexine Hansen

Senior Global Partnership Manager Conservation Futures Academy, Learning Enterprise

Winston Matthews

Winston Matthews

Senior Program Manager, Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures

Lukas Wenrick

Lukas Wenrick

Sr. Director of Learning Innovations, Learning Enterprise

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 Sessions to know 

 Check back for regular updates to this schedule 

 

Sunday, September 20

Tuesday, September 22

Closing the Green Skills Gap: Year One of the Conservation Futures Academy 

Time: 1:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 

How do you build the skills for effective conservation work today, stay resilient as the field rapidly changes, and keep your work on track to deliver real outcomes for the planet? A unique university-practitioner partnership is redefining sustainability and conservation upskilling with the training everyone wishes they’d had in school, charting a path to deliver the workforce of tomorrow. Join us for a discussion on how the Academy’s model for developing systems change practitioners is on track to train over 30,000 professionals.

Presenters:  
Percy Summers Senior Director, Conservation International  
Lukas Wenrick Senior Director of Learning Innovations, ASU Learning Enterprise
Seth Collins Co-Executive Director, Skill Up for Earth  

 

Location: Green Jobs Pavilion, Project Farmhouse, 76 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003, Registration required

Tuesday, September 22

University of Exeter climate showcase

Peter Schlosser joins Exeter's showcase of climate research and partnership. More details to come

ASU Conservation Futures One-Year Celebration 

Time: 2:30–4:30 p.m.

Description: One year ago at Climate Week NYC, Arizona State University announced Conservation Futures and a commitment to preparing the people who will shape the future of conservation. Since then, more than 1,300 learners from organizations around the world have joined us as we’ve launched more than 20 courses and certificates. Stop by our booth as we celebrate our first year, share a sweet treat and reflect on what we’ve built together. Meet members of the Conservation Futures team and help us look ahead to the work still to come. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just discovering Conservation Futures, we’d love to celebrate with you.

Location: The Nest Campus, North Javits Center 429 11th Avenue

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Retailer workshop with WWF, EDF and RILA

Christy Slay will speak on moving retailers from commitment to measurable supply chain change. 

Deloitte headquarters · By invitation only

Indigenous-led Philanthropy in the Arctic: A No-Borders Approach to Protection 

3:00-4:00 p.m.  

Melissa Nelson will serve as moderator for this session.  

Union Theological Seminary, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027  ·  Registration required

Nature Hub: One ocean, one climate

4:35–5:55 p.m. · ASU on the panel from 5:05 p.m.

Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures Director Jack Kittinger joins the panel with TNC, CI and Ocean 5 on closing the gap between ocean ambition and investment, following opening remarks from the COP31 presidencies. ASU holds the workforce and capacity seat, a part of the blue economy that gets less attention but supports all the work needed to meet the promise of the blue economy.

Nature Hub at KPMG headquarters, Two Manhattan West · Registration required

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Procter and Gamble and Conservation International panel

Jennifer McGowan on what corporate conservation commitments take to actually deliver.

The Nest Campus, Javits Center North · Open to Nest registrants

Atmos Enchanted Forest

7–11:30 p.m.

Peter Seligmann and Melissa Nelson will attend this evening of story, song, science and spirit. The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

Ticketed event

Friday, September 25, 2026

Bridging Minds: A fireside chat on leading with compassion

Morning, TBC

Peter Seligmann in conversation with Rutgers Chancellor Francine Conway. More details to come

Uncommon Dialogue: Federal Science Refresh

Dave White co-organizes and speaks at this dialogue on strengthening the federal environmental science ecosystem. Participants will examine how to make that ecosystem resilient, decision-ready and equipped for emerging environmental challenges, and will explore how scientific knowledge can be integrated into government decision-making through sustained relationships, institutional capacity and mechanisms connecting the scientific community with the public sector.

NYC Conference Center at Cornell ILR · ASU co-hosting, by invitation only

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Group 14 (1)

 ASU Conservation Futures  

At ASU, we are building a lifelong conservation learning ecosystem. It expands access and connects education to practice, so that people finish with the skills to create measurable environmental and community impact. The Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures anchors our academic programs in Tempe and in conservation-critical places around the world, working alongside conservation organizations, government agencies and communities to connect what students learn with the realities of conservation practice. The Conservation Futures Academy creates opportunities for learners at every stage, from high school students exploring conservation to working professionals and executives building the skills they need now. Academy learners already come from Microsoft, NASA, PepsiCo, The Nature Conservancy and hundreds of other organizations.

 



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